Inking mechanism for printing presses



192. E. J. SMITH INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Dec. 8, 1926 walk at 1, W29 E. J. SMITH 333G303 INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed Dec. 8, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 1, 1 929 UNTED Iii. QFFICE ERNEST JAMES SMITH, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOSS PRINTING PRESS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Application filed December 8, 1926, Serial No. 153,365, and in Great Britain February 15, 1926.

This invention relates to inking mechanism for printing machines.

According to this invention, the ink is supplied by means of a pump or other pressure feeding device to a series of valve controlled nozzles which are automatically opened by the pressure of the ink supply to allow the ink to pass through the same so as to be directed on to the required inking drum or cylinder. Each nozzle is controlled and normally closed by a spring influenced valve so arranged in conjunction with a piston, plunger or the like whi ch is under the influence of the ink supply pressure, that when this pressure exceeds that of the spring, the piston, plunger or the like is moved in order to force the valve against the action of the spring so that it is withdrawn from and opens the nozzle throu h which the ink is forced onto the inking roller or drum. The pressure of any one of the springs may be varied as required by means of adjustable abutments that can be individually operated by rods extending to the side or sldes of the printing press. Means may be providedfor rendering some of the nozzles inoperative without interfering with the supply of ink tothe other nozzles as for instance, in connection with the printing of newspapers where it may be desired at times to print less pages or columns than the maximum that can be printed when all the ink supply nozzles are in operation. For this purpose locking plates may be provided for engaging with the aforesaid valves to prevent withdrawal of the same from the nozzles which therefore remain closed to the ink supply. Means may be provided whereby the nozzles can be easily cleaned to prevent the ink from coagulating therein after a printing operation. For this purpose the said valve may be formed with a passage or bore through it and a cleaning liquid or lye may be forced through the same and through the nozzles. The cleaning liquid or lye can be directed on to the inking roller and by rotating the several rollers and drums of the inking mechanism, the rollers and drums as well as the type cylinder can be cleaned.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into nozzles.

effect, the same will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side view of one construction of the improved inking mechanism according to this invention, illustrating one of the valve controlled ink supply nozzles in section.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary transverse View showing two of the series of valve controlled nozzles that extends along the inking roller.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional "iew of one of the valve controlled nozzles.

A indicates the inking roller or small distributing cylinder, A the seriesof distributing rollers and A represents the large inking drum or cylinder from which the ink is supplied by form rollers to the type or printing cylinder. B, B represent the ink supply C, C indicate the controlling valves. D, D the pistons or plungers associated with the valves. E represents the support and ink supply chamberor pipe common to all the nozzles B. F indicates the supply pipe through which the ink is forced by the pump G that draws the ink from a supply tank H. The nozzles B are disposed along and on the upper part of the common supplychamber or pipe E and they are each shaped to form a casing containing the piston D fitting on around the valve C which extends forwardly so as to project into the nozzle. A sprlng C around each valve is interposed between the piston D and an adjustable abutment I threaded into the nozzle casing so as to maintain the piston and the valve normally in a position in which the forward end of the valve is projecting into and closing the nozzle. The space on the nozzle side of each p ston and the'adjacent end of the nozzle casing is in communication with the common supply chamber or pipe E through a passage E W'hen the machine is started and the pump G put into operation, the ink is forced 1nto the chamber E and into each nozzle casing through the passage E and upon the pressure of the ink therein exceeding the spring pressure acting on the piston D and maintaining the valve C closed. the piston D is forced rearwardly against the action of the spring so that the valve C is withdrawn from the nozzle B thereby opening the latter to the supply of ink which is forced through the nozzles and directed on to the inking .drum D.- So long as the ink supply pressure is maintained the nozzle is kept open but it is closed by the spring influenced valve immediately the ink supply pressure falls below that of the spring. In order to vary the pressure with which the spring normally bears on the valves, each of the aforesaid abutments I in the ends of the I or other tool for actuating the worm gearing and screwing the abutment inwardly or outwardly for varying the spring pressure. As indicated in Figure 1 the worm wheels J of the abutments I' arearranged in two Vertical planes and the operating rods extend from the worm wheels J in pairs at different inclination so that the operating ends projecting beyond the plate M are superposed in pairs as shown. In the case of a large number of valve controlled nozzles being provided, the operating rods for half the row of nozzles may extend to one side of the machine and the operating rods for the other half of the row of nozzles extend to the other side of the machine. Any one of the springs pertaining to the valve controlled nozzles can be adjusted by operating the rod which is geared to the abutment of that spring.

The means illustrated for rendering certain of the nozzles B inoperative as herembefore referred to, comprise plates N hinged at N to a fixed part of the machine and adapted to be immovably held against projections on the rear ends of the valves by wing nuts N or the like so that the valves engaged by the plates N are prevented from being moved outwardly by the ink supply pressure, thus preventing the ink from passing into the nozzles controlled by these valves. By unscrewing the wing nuts N the plates can be swun into an inoperative position thus releasing tlie valves so that they can be operated to open the nozzles by the ink supply pressure as aforesaid. A series of the independently hinged locking plates N may be provided each plate controlling several of the valves so that any set of the valves and nozzles may be rendered in operative as may be required.

After each printing operation it may be desirable to clean the nozzles to remove the ink therefrom so as to prevent it from'setthat control the nozzles are provided with a straight through passage or bore and each valve is connected by means of a flexible pipe 0 to a common pipe P to which a cleaning liquid or lye can be supplied by a anism and also the printing cylinder, the lye can be distributed over the peripheral sur face of the said rollers and drums and over the type on the printing cylinder thus cleaning the said surfaces and the type. During the cleaning operation the impression cylinder may be held out of contact with the type or printing cylinder so that the blankets thereon are not injured or detrimentally affected by the lye which is distributed over the type on the printing cylinder. A scraper S may be provided at the lower part of the drum A for removing the dirty ink and causing it to fall into a collecting receptacle T. The scraper S may be mounted on a rocking shaft S that can be suitably actuated from any convenient part of the ma chine, so as to place the scraper either in the inoperative position for the printing operation when the ink is continuously supplied through the aforesaid nozzles B or 1n the operative position when the ink supply is cut ofi and the cleaning liquid or lye is supplied through the valve C and the nozzles B. Air (hot or otherwise) may be supplied for drying the type and the inking rollers after the cleaning operation.

The pump for supplying the ink may be of any suitable type and it may be driven by spur gear wheels G G from the shaft of the drum A through a friction clutch G so as to draw the ink from the supply tank H which may be conveniently situated outside the frame of the machine and to force it into the aforesaid common supply pipe or chamber E. A pressure regulating bye-pass valve may be provided for enabling the ink to be pumped to the necessary pressure when starting the machine after a cleaning operation, and the pump may be rotated by hand in order to force the ink into the nozzle casings ready to be supplied to the inking rollers immediately the machine starts. At the end of a printing operation the pump is rendered inoperative by the aforesaid friction clutch and remains so during the cleaning operation. By means of this invention the ink can be supplied to the inking rollers immediately the machine starts, and the supply is continuous during the printing operation and proportional to the speed of the machine. Further, the supply of ink is immediately cut off when the machine stops owing to the reduction of the pressure of the ink allowing the valves to be moved by their springs to project into and close the nozzles to the ink supply, when they can then be cleaned by pumping the lye through the nozzles to prevent coagulation-of the ink left in the nozzles after the printing operation. The pump for supplying the cleaning liquid or lye to the nozzles may be driven by chain and sprocket gearing Q from the shaft of the drum A through a friction clutch Q by means of which the lye pump can be rendered inoperative during the working of the ink supply pump i. e., during the printing operation.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departuresv may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

lVh-at I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. Inking mechanism for printing machines, comprising a pump, a series of nozzles to which the ink is supplied by the pump, a valve for each nozzle, springs controlling said valves and a piston or plunger associ-.

ated with each valve and under the influence of the pressure of the ink supply so as to open the valve when the ink pressure exceeds the spring pressure for enabling the ink to be forced through the nozzle.

2. Inking mechanism for printing machines, comprising a pump, a series of nozzles to which the ink is supplied by the pump, casings associated with said nozzles, a valve situated in each of the casings, a piston or plunger associated with the valve and a spring for bearing on the said piston so as to maintain the end of the valve in the nozzle opening with a space between the piston and the closing end of the valve to which space the ink is supplied so that when the ink pressure' exceeds the spring pressure the piston and the valve are forced against the action of the spring to open the nozzle.

3. Inking mechanism for printing machines, comprising a pump, nozzles to which the ink is supplied for directing the ink onto the inking rollers, valves controlling the said nozzles, springs acting on said valves to maintain them closed until the ink pressure exceeds the spring pressure and adjustable abutments for the said springs. I

4. Inking mechanism for printing machines, comprising a pump, nozzles to which the ink is supplied for directing the ink onto the inking rollers, valves controlling the said nozzles, springs acting on said valves to maintain them closed until the ink pressure exceeds the spring pressure, adjustable abutments for said springs, gearing associated witheach abutment and operating rods one for each abutment, for actuating the'gearing to vary the position of any of the abutments.

6. Inking mechanism for printing ma-' chines, comprising a pump, a series of nozzles to which the ink is supplied by the pump,

valves for controlling said nozzles and m-ovable plates adapted to be held in a fixed position to bearagainst the valves to prevent movement of the same.

7. Inking mechanism for printing machines, comprising a pump, a series of nozzles to which the ink is supplied by the pump, valves for controlling said nozzles and adapted to be opened when the ink supply reaches predetermined pressure, and means for introducing a cleaning liquid into the said nozzles for removing the ink therefrom.

8. Inking mechanism for printing machines comprising a pump, a series of nozzles to which the ink is supplied by the pump,

valves controlling said nozzles, springs controlling said valves, means whereby theink pressure moves the valves against the springs to open the nozzles, said valves having passages extending through the same, and a pump for forcing cleaning liquid through the said valves so as to pass into the nozzles when closed to the ink supply by the valves.

9. Inking mechanism for printing machines, comprising a pump, a series of nozzles to which the ink is supplied by the pump, spring controlled valves for closing said nozzles, means whereby the Valves can be opened when the ink pressure exceeds the spring pressure, means for closing said valves to hold them against movement by the ink pressure and means for forcing cleaning. liquid through passages in the valves into the noz zles when the latter are closed to the ink supply by the said valves. I

10. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination means for supplying ink under pressure to an ink distributing cylinder and ink pressure controlled means for regulating the supply of ink to the cylinder.

11. A printing press inking mechanism ineluding in combination means for supplying ink under pressure to an ink distributing cylinder and means controlled by the ink pressure for varying the supply of ink to the cylinder proportionally to the speed of the press.

12. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination means for supplying ink under pressure proportionate to the press speed to an ink distributing cylinder and ink pressure controlled means for regulating the supply of ink to the cylinder.

.13. A printing press inking mechanism in cluding in combination an ink distributing cylinder, means for supplying ink thereto, and a pump continuously rotated by a moving part of the press to supply ink to the cylinder under pressure directly proportionate to thepress speed.

14. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination an ink distributing cylinder, means for supplying ink thereto, anda pump continuously rotated by the cylinder to supply ink to the cylinder under pressure directly .proportionate to the press speed.

15. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination an ink distributing cylinder, means for supplying ink thereto, an and a pump keared to the cylinder to he rotated thereby to supply ink to the cylinder under pressure directly proportionate to the press speed.

16. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination means for directing ink onto the surface of an ink distributing cylinder, means for supplying ink under pressure to said directing means, and means for automatically withholding ink from the directing means when the ink pressure is below a predetermined amount.

17. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination means for directing ink onto the surface of an ink distributing cylinder, means for supplying ink under pressure to said directing means, and pressure controlled means for automatically withholding ink from the directing means when the ink pressure is below a predetermined amount.

18, A printing press inking mechanism including in combination means for directing ink onto the surface of an ink distributing cylinder, means for supplying ink under pressure proportionate to the press speed to said directing means, and pressure controlled means for automatically withholding ink from the directing means when the ink pressure is below a predetermined amount.

19. A printing press inking mechanism in cluding in combination means for directing ink onto the surface of an ink distributing cylinder, means for supplying ink under pressure to said directing means, and pressure controlled means for admitting ink through the directing means when the ink pressure reaches a predetermined amount.

20. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination a nozzle for directing ink onto the surface of an ink distribut-- ing cylinder, means for forcing ink under pressure to the nozzle, and a valve for automatically opening the nozzle for the passage of ink when the ink pressure reaches a predetermined amount.

21. A'printing press inking mechanism 1n cludmg 1n combinatlon an ink distributing cylinder, means for supplying ink under.

pressure, means for admitting ink from the supply means to the surface of the cylinder when the ink pressure reaches a predetermined amount, and means for Varying the predetermined pressure limit at which the ink is admitted to the cylinder.

22. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination an-ink distributing cylinder, a plurality of conduits for distributing ink along the surface ofthe cylinder, means for supplying ink under pressure to the conduits, and means in each conduit for the cylinder until the pressure reaches a predetermined amount.

24:- A printing press inking mechanism including in combination an ink distributing cylinder, a plurality of conduits for distributing ink along the surface of the cylinder, means for supplying ink under pressure to the conduits and means in each conduit for with holding ink from. the cylinder until the pressure reaches a predetermined amount and means for varying the predetermined pressure limit at which the ink is admitted to the conduits.

25. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination an ink distributing cylinder, a plurality of conduits for distributing ink along the surface of the cylinder, means for supplying ink under pressure to the conduits, means in each conduit for withholding ink from the cylinder until the pressure reaches a predetermined amount and means for individually varying for each conduit the predeterminted pressure limit at which ink is admitted to said conduit.

26. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination means for directing ink onto the surface of an ink distributing cylinder, means for supplying ink under pressure to said directing means, and pressure controlled means for admitting ink through i the conduits, means in each conduit for withholding ink from the cylinder until the pressure reaches a predetermined amount and optionally operable means for positively preventing admission of ink to any particular conduit.

28. The method of regulating the ink supply to a printing press which comprises supplying ink to the press at a pressure proportionate to press speed and withholding the ink from the press until the pressure has attained a predetermined amount.

29. The method of regulating the ink supply to a printing press which comprises creating a pressure proportionate to press speed in the ink supply and regulating the amount of ink supplied to the press proportionately to the pressure created.

30. The method of regulating the ink supply to a printing press which comprises creating a pressure proportionate to press speed in the ink supply and automatically regulating the amount of ink supplied to the press proportionately to the pressure created.

ing cleaning fluid through the directing means onto the cylinder when the ink is withheld therefrom.

ERNEST JAMES SMITH.

31. The method of regulating the ink sup- 7 ply to a printing press which comprises'supplying ink to the press at a pressure proportionate to press speed and cutting off the supply from the press when the pressure falls below a predetermined amount.

32. The method of regulating the ink supply to a printing press which comprises creating a pressure proportionate to press speed in the ink supply and supplying ink to the press while thepressure exceeds a predetermined amount.

33. The method of regulating the ink supply to a printing press which comprises creating a pressure roportionate to press speed in the ink supp y and supplying ink to the press while the pressure exceeds a predetermined amount and automatically varying the amount of ink supplied proportionately to the pressure.

34. The method of regulating the ink supply to a printing press which comprises creating a pressure proportionate to press speed in the ink supply and supplying ink to the press while the pressure exceeds a predetermined amount and varying the predetermined pressure limit according to the ink ing requirements of the press.

35. The method of regulating the ink sup ply to a printing press which comprises creating a pressure proportionate to the press speed in the ink supply and regulating the amount of ink supplied generally to the inking cylinder proportionately to the pressure created and further varying the amount of ink supplied areally along the cylinder.

36. A printing press inking mechanism including in combination means for directing ink onto the surface of an ink distributing cylinder, means for supplying ink under pressure to said directing means, and means 

